KSVI

KSVI, virtual channel 6, is an ABC-affiliated television station in Billings, Montana, broadcasting its digital signal on UHF channel 18. It is owned by the Nexstar Broadcasting Group, in a virtual duopoly with Fox affiliate KHMT (channel 4). On cable, the station is carried on Comcast cable channel 10.

KSVI's programming is also seen on K25BP (channel 25) in Billings, in areas where KSVI's signal is poor. It can also be seen in Miles City on K16DH (channel 16).

History

KSVI went on the air January 8, 1993 under the ownership of Big Horn Communications. The station has always been an ABC affiliate; it replaced KOUS-TV (channel 4), which shut down at KSVI's launch. At the outset, channel 6's programming was also seen on KYUS-TV (channel 3) in Miles City and KCTZ (channel 7) in Bozeman, both of which had previously served as satellites of KOUS. KCTZ was sold to Cordillera Communications several months later to become a satellite of KXLF-TV in Butte (eventually becoming KBZK), while KYUS was sold to Stephan Marks in 1995 (originally proposed to become a satellite of KXGN-TV in Glendive, KYUS now simulcasts KULR-TV from Billings). Following the sale of KCTZ, KSVI's programming was carried on translators K26DE (channel 26) in Bozeman and K43DU (channel 43) in Butte; this ended when KWYB signed on in 1996. Channel 6 also, at its sign-on, inherited Billings translator station K25BP, which was originally intended to improve KOUS' signal in Billings (as channel 4's tower is located 18 miles east of the city due to its Hardin city of license).